
Author. 



Title 




Glass -/-xJ-£wO-U 



Imprint 

- 



j»— ;«w»-i a«»o 









POEMS 



ALLBH PBABO 



(BARD OF ENON.) 



:p o is im: s 

—BY— 

ALLE^T PEABODY. 

BARD OF ENON, 

A HUMOROUS AND HISTORICAL COLLECTION. 

GIVING THE JOKES, EXPERIENCES, AND 

CHARACTERS OF MANY CITIZENS 

OF WENHAM, 30 YEARS AGO, 

AND PEOPLE OF THE 

PRESENT TIME. 



Steam 3>ri?iti?ig Bouse of J?. If. Fletcher & Co. 

1868. 






Mo^ 



\ -.. 



Fair Enon ! What shall I about thee say ? 

Shall I go back to other days ? 

Shall I bring down from days of yore 

The deeds of men, their names call o'er ? 

Their looks — their acts — and where they dwelt ? 

Their very names and how they're spelt ? 

Full fifty winters o'er my head, 

Since I was born — have lightly sped ; 

'Tis four and thirty years ago, 

Since first this place I came to know. 

Since first I came to learn my trade, 

St. Crispin's art, how shoes are made. 

Then I was young — was scarce 18, — 

Raw from the hills, untaught and green. 

But long since then I came to know 

Full many a joy and many a woe. 

Accounts will interest you more 

About your friends in days of yore ; 

Now Wenham Lake — then Wenham Pond ; 

Against it shores lived Master John ;* 

A Bachelor of much renown ; 

Well known by every one in town ; 

Who wore his trowsers in his boots, 

Whose brains could figure squares and root, 

Who loved to fish, and kept a boat, 

But never knew the worth of soap ; 

Who sometimes kept the village school ; 

Taught A B C to dun e and fool ; 

*John DocUre. 



Who sent to Boston a petition 

To make -a law against folks fishing' 

Al wives out of Wenham water ; 

For he thought that no one ought to 

Grag a seine or fish" with line, or 

Catch a picksrel, perch or shiner — 

Only just himself. 

Years have passed since Master John 

Grew old, and died, and journeyed Home. 

The little church, its ancient form and spire, 

Its little bell would call to prayer or fire ; 

Its notes of joy, when July 4th came round, 

Its solemn tones at funerals it would sound, 

Is gone, and where it stood now stands an oval close, 

Where shady trees and verdant grass now grows ; 

Where Parson Sperny preached for years and years, 

Whose funeral sermons oft' drew briny tears. 

Its sheep pen pews, whose rattling seats at prayer, 

Made such a clatter every one would stare. 

Its choir where Gould would sing, McCrea squeak and blow, 

With clash of instruments made sacred music flow, 

Might scare the angel from the house of God, 

And rouse the dead asleep beneath the sod. 

When Captain B would saw the cat gut bull, 

And female windpipes make the clamor full. 
Those days are past of fiddle, flute, bassoon, 
And graceful organs made to take their room. 
The church itself, was moved and filled with ice, 
Where Heaven's wrath had threatened crime and vice, 
Where hot discourses 'bout the realms below, 
And Satan's dwelling where firey flames do glow. 
Where Pluto reigns, — unpardoned sinners dwell, 
x4nd all the torments of an endless Hell ; 
' Tis fitting, 'tis, a gospel shop like this, 
Should be hauled off and cooled with ice. 
A modern church more comely in its style, 



Where gospel truths are preached in language mild, 
To modern minds, improved by modern lore, 
Where christian's meet to least on Heaven's store. 
There charity on brother christian's wait, 
And honest meekness finds the narrow gate. 
Oh let us hope the time is not far hence, 
When prejudice will yield to common sense ; 
When bigotry will spend itself in lore, 
And superstition be a thing of yore. 

The Two Taverns. 

in those old times two taverns stood, 
Both upon the public road ; 
Ezra Lummus kept the one, 
And Richard Dodge* and old Squire Thome. 
Richard Dodge sold rum, and dwelt 
Where B. C. Putnam's house was built. 
The well and pump is still in use, 
Where man and beast may drink who choose. 
Great improvements now have come, 
Folks drink the water sans the rum; 
But Ezra, farther up the town, 
Where now the Essex road comes round. 
The only dwelling built of brick, or 
Where hay teamsters stopped to liquor; 
Friend Ezra then kept grog for sale, 
And thereby doth hang a tale. 
For years and years, town meeting days 
Were in excitement aud amaze. 
Full well do I remember how 
The license question caused a row ; 
King Richard and King Alchohol 
Kept tavern, and gave many a ball ; 
Where drunken rowdies met to prance, 
Three cents for toddy, three for dance. 

-*This person's real name was John Thorn Dodge. 



6 

While Porter's Pompey trailed a reel, 

And beat the measure with his heel, 

Or Charley made his cat gut squeal. 

Crazy Charley known to fame, 

Charley Adams was his name. 

Charley's history I'll pursue. 

His final fate none ever knew; 

A few years later there was found 

In Topsfield river some one drowned ; 

By some 'twas thought that Adams had 

In stupor, met his end so sad. 

Luke ! don't you remember Luke. 

Fat, hearty, jolly, like a Duke ? 

I've seen him dance an hour long 

At Richard's — 'mong the boozy throng. 

When Pomp, or fiddle stopped the tune, 

Roll. like a cart wheel round the room; 

Then swear and laugh, the jolly dog, 

Three cents for music — six for grog. 

The " we sma' " hours of the night ; 

Pound nearly all the party tight, 

The moral people of the town, 

On such proceedings used to frown. 

The very rats, folks used to say, 

For very fear would skulk away ; 

For several days those frightened souls, 

Would hardly dare to leave their holes. 

The rotten beams of Richard's den, 

Were tested well by drunken men ; 

Richard himself, I've heard it said, 

In his bar room since fell dead. 

Squire Thorn ! at home town meeting days, 

His voice for license he woul d raise, 

Shrill above the noisy crowd, 

His voice was heard in accents loud. 

Saying ? « Paul met three taverns and was glad," 



(His education sure was bad.) 

Acts 28 th, 15th verse, 

Now read the text, where you of course 

Will find, Paul met some friends and courage took, 

This simple fact the Squire o'er looked. 

Another " Old man eloquent," 

(Whose days on earth were nearly spent.) 

This tumult, the Squire has raised the fuss, 

'Minds me of Paul at Ephesus, 

Whose preaching hurt the sale of gods, 

The silversmiths deplored the odds. 

Demetrius raised a hue and cry, 

"Great is the god Diana." 

The voters present saw the hit, 

With loud huzzas applauded it ; 

"No license" was the vote they say, 

And Dr. Killham won the day. 

Thkee Selectmen. 

One at the "Neck" one at "West End," 
Stephen Dodge and Peabody, 
And Ezra Lummus made the three. 
A committee had selected 
These three men who were elected ; 
The first held to temperance views, 
The third sold liquor when he chose. 
One night a party met before 
Our worthy townsman Lummus's door. 
Rufus Dodge among the lot. 
"Lummus how much rum 've you got ?" 
Says Lummus "Well, I rather guess, 
'Bout eight gallons, more or less:" 
Says Rufus "we'll pass round the hat, 
Collect the chink and buy him out." 
They let friend Ezra prize his rum, 
They out with purse and raised the sum, 



Then Rnfus gave the bar a rap, 

While with his hands he held his cap. 

Now there's no game that two can't play it, 

This is a fact although I say it. 

Behind the counter stood some rum, 

Drawn in a bowl which quickly come ; 

Friend Ezra turned it bottom up, 

And Rufus caught it in his cap. 

Old Alchohol was in the keg, 

They brought him out— pulled out the peg, 

And o'er the earth his blood did flow, 

While his spirit went below ; 

And from that night until this minute, 

This town has had no tavern in it. 

With jolly Luke I have not done, 

He was the talk of all the town. 

How oft' I've seen his hand come down 

On Israel Pert's unlucky crown ; 

Down Israel's cheeks the tears would run, 

For quite one-sided was the fun. 

Saying "Israel are ye wide awake ?" 

Then Luke would laugh just like a drake, 

He'd then slap Israel on the back, 

He laughed just as a duck would quack. 

Poor Israel swearing all the while, 

And people heard them half a mile. 

Our neighbor Luminus had a colt, 

And so one day fat Luke the dolt, 

(Luke weighed at least three hundred pounds), 

Got on this colt, and rode him round, 

Though Dodge's Row and Wenham Neck, 

His weight had well nigh broke his neck ; 

This is a new way, "Lummus swore," 

To break a colt, unknown before ; 

So Luke and Ezra had a spat, 

And that's the last I heard of that. 



I've seen him often on the house, 
His voice would all the neighbors rouse, 
And like a bugle he would blow, 
And full a mile his voice would go, 
O'er all the village it hath rung 
From iron throat and brazen lung; 
When all had heard him far and near, 
His smutty head would disappear. 
Luke died some dozen years ago, 
But where he died I do not know, 
And all in all he was a man, 
Whose like we n'er shall see again. 
Dr. 'Lorn? was Dr. Dodge, 
And Dr. Dodge was long, 
I well remember Dr. Dodge, 
.And also Dr. Long, 
Dr. Dodge was very tall, 
And Dr. Long would stoop. 
Dr. Appleton was poor, 
Not in respect to wealth, 
He had no flesh upon his bones, 
He therefore had no health. 
Peter Dodge sent for him, 
For Peter's health was failing, 
He felt the need of medicine, 
Because he'd long been ailing. 
And when the Dr's. carriage had come, 
And the Dr's. horse had stopped, 
Uncle Peter bluntly asked, 
" Who dug this Doctor up." 
Dodge was the tallest man in town, 
About six feet and ten, 
His head loomed up two feet 
Above the average of men. 
I oft' had seen him, walking home 
From church on sabbath day, 

(2) 



xo 

He could look down cm common folks, 

And jet no pride display. 

Dr, Jones another man, 

Honest, brusque, and plain, 

He never had an oily tongue, 

He falsehood did disdain. 

These Doctors all were worthy men, 

Jones likewise was tall, 

Two Allen's next came on the stand, 

I've named them nearly all. 

Another Doctor, I'll yet name, 

I do not doubt his skill, 

He'll dose ye up to get well, 

Or bleed ye if you will. 

I would not like te blow him up, 

He's played that game on me, 

He left some powders at my house, 

And skedaddled with his fee. 

I am indebted to his skill, 

He saved a precious life, 

I now might sleep a widower, 

Had he not saved my wife. 

He is lightfingered, so look out, 

I've often heard it said, 

Pickpocket-like, this rogue would steal 

Your teeth right out your head. 

Jehu-like, you every day, 

May see him driving round, 

His popularity, has won 

The practice of the town. 

If you *re sick just send him word, 

His horse comes on the run, 

He'll let yoa kaow your aehes and ails, 

Just like Jack .Robinson, 



11 

Aunt Thorn, (wipe op Squire Thorn Dodge.) 

Old Aunt Thorn, kindhearted in the main, 

Was not averse to trade and gain ; 

Bill Lakeman,* he could tell a tale, 

How in old times he carried sail. 

Thirty years ago I thiak, 

Nearly every man would drink ; 

With many it became a passion, 

And Billy Lakeman was in fashion. 

Our hero, he got out of chink, 

Was puzzled how to get a drink. 

His genius struck a plan— t' was slicker, 

By jingo, now I'll have some liquor. 

He took a horse-shoe to the tavern bar, 

And he found the lady there, 

u I found this horse-shoe in the street, 

I'll give it to you if you'll treat. 

'Tis worth three cent?., that's just the sum, 

'Twill pay you for a glass of rum ;" 

He then passed it to the lady, 

She mixed for him a glass of toddy. 

She hung this horse-shoe on a rack, 

He found a chance to steal it back ; 

So the next morn he called again r 

r I've found another horse-shoe ma'm." 

And 90 she traded as before, 

And bought the horse-shoe back once more, 

So every day he'd slyly come, 

And steal that shoe to sell for rum. 

One day he brought it to her door, 

" I think I've seen that shoe before," 

She just began to smell " a mice," 

And Bill skedaddled in a trice. 

*Mr. Lakeman is still living, and is now a steady, industrious and 
temperate townsman. 



12 



My hearers don't you be surprised, 
Aunt Thorn was often victimized ; 
She did not feed her boarders -well, 
If that be true I cannot tell. 
T'was said Tom Wyatt boarded there, 
And that he did not like his fare ; 
11 1 know a trick," thought Tommy Wyatt, 
And blow me if I do not try it. 
He caught a chicken, killed it dead, 
He drove a pin into its head, 
Then took this biddy to Aunt Thorn, 
" I've found this pullet in the barn." 
The simple lady thought it died, 
" Go bury it," the woman cried. 
" 'Tis a pity," Tommy said, 
" To bury it because it's dead." 
u What is it good for," quoth Aunt Thorn, 
" Since it died out in the barn ?" 
" Oh cook it granny, I can eat it, 
Roast chicken's good, there'l nothing beat it." 
Well, if you'll eat it then you may, 
-I'll have it cooked for you to-day. 
Great country this ! where poultry die, 
Where I can dine on chicken pie, 
Thought Wyatt when he came to dine, 
I like this) living it's so fine ; 
Great institution is a pin, 
Guess I'll play that game again. 
Aunt Thorn was useful in her day, 
She had a sympathizing way ; 
If sickness called for extra care, 
Aunt Dodge was sure to be there; 
The p&infi of sickness she would ease, 
The dainty appetite could please, 
Her art would cool the fevered brow, 
Very few knew better how. 



13 



Sit by the bed throughout the night, 
And not depart till morning light ; 
Her sticks of candy won renown, 
From grateful children in th' town. 
Her faults were accidents of place, 
She consequently bore disgrace ; 
The proud and selfish scorned her name, 
Who never would have done the same. 
Had they been asked to watch the bed, 
And tend the sick or dress the dead, 
Would have declined, — made an excuse, 
In short would lie, — the truth abuse ; 
u I'm sick myself, or else Fd come, 
Why don't you go and get Aunt Thorn." 
What e'er her faults they must be small, 
Her virtues overtopped them ail, 
She merited a worthy fame, 
So let ua all revere her name. 

The Wrestlers. 

There thirty years ago. was known 
A wrestler who had n'er been thrown, 
A man of famous nerve and strength, 
Who made opponents gauge their length. 
He was in fact a champion '• crack," 
He had laid all Ipswich on its back, 
And in pursuit of more renown, 
He crossed the boundaries of his town. 
March meeting day this blustering swell, 
Came into town his deeds to tell, 
With bragging gai» he let folks know, 
There was no man he could not throw. 
Many confident, essayed, 
Took hold to wrestle, but were laid, 
People really 'gan to think, 



14 



What with muscle, what with drink) 

That Devil Ben would rule the day, 

And carry the champion's belt away. 

So pride made many look around, 

To find a man to put him down, 

The terms of victory were known, 

The man should treat who should be thrown* 

At last the crowd produced a man, 

Who said, " I'll do the best I can,", 

The two took hold with iron grip, 

Began to pull and jerk and trip j 

The sweat began to ooze and run, 

The gaping crowd enjoyed the fun. 

With superhuman strength and tactj 

He laid the bully on his back, 

Then Devil Ben sprang up and swore, 

" We'll try again, that was not fair." 

Again he stretched upon the ground, 

And all his boasting pride came down, 

The champion's belt so people say, 

Is by John IMildram worn to-day. 

The Oeator. 

Lummus had in his employ, 

Luke and Israel Pert, 
Jo Pettingail and other men, 

At times were there at work. 

These sons of vulcan loved a joke, 

At other folks expense, 
Jack Newell was their victim once, 

And he laeked common sense ; 

They said he was a Cicero, 

Or modera Demosthenes, 
That Clay and Webster did not know, 

How to distinguish beans. 



16 



That N wol! • .1 I -X-: '■'■i at ;il!, 

If people o dy knew, 
What an orator he was, 

Which they professed was true, 

A hogshead full of water stood 

Just in that position. 
Where an orator might stand, 

And deliver an oration, 

They had a board cut half in two, 

To place above the liquor, 
Just strong enough to bear a man ; 

A half an inch or thicker. 

They got the preacher on the stand, 

Stood fey to hold it steady, 
Thro' fear an accident might hap', 

" 'Twas high, he might be giddy." 

And when the preacher spread himself 

In earnest declamation, 
'Bout Washington and Bunker Hill 

And great men of the nation, — 

Just then the crafty Luke 

Would the rostrum part asunder ; 
His eloquence would then come down 

Kersplash and all go under. 

The dripping orator would crawl 
Forthwith from out the water ; 

While Luke would roll upon the ground 
And shake himself with laughter. 

The Lord's Bread* 

Old Richards used to peddle bread 

He bought of Mr. Lord ; 
When dealing with his customers, 

He'd pun upon the word. 



16 

Hs asked a wife in TopsSeld once, 

If the Lord's bread she'd buy ; 
'•Not when the devil peddles it," 

Was the tart reply. 

Peletiah Brown. 

A party at a shooting once, 

Ead took a chance all round, — 

The turkey still alive and well, — 
'Now you try, Uncle Brown." 

Peletiah had the palsy so he shook 

From, foot to crown ; 
The bullet sped, he shook just right, 

And brought the turkey down. 

Peletiah left a wife, 

The oldest one in town, 
She called the children "'duckies dear," 

They called her "Ducky Brown." 

She lived where Moses Mildram lives, 

Was ninety odd years old, 
Complacency prolonged her days, 

So I have been told. 

Her daughter, Mrs. Preston, 

Who died a few years later, 
Was remarkable for kindliness, 

So gentle was her nature. 

Ye petuient and peevish wives, 
Who would grow old respected, 

Wear in your hearts the sunny smiles, 
That often are neglected. 

Tub Bbgteebs Kimball. 
Edmond Kimball and his brother Nat, 

Who years ago were gathered to their kin, 
Whose early days were spent upon the sea, 



17 

Well known to us as true and worthy men. 
Old Uncle Nat was called a miser, why? 

He had no pride, and cared still less for food. 
He sought not fame— his wants indeed were few: 

If he ambition had, 'twas that he might be good,' 
He had a strong and natural love for place, 

The house, the barn, each rock, the hollow tree, 
And all surroundings, were to his heart most dear : 

All innovations on his place he could not bear to see. 
His old wool hat he'd worn for twenty years, 
Had it been lost, would move his heart to tears, 
As though he'd lost a friend ; its faded rim, 
Its greasy band and crown, were dear to him. 
His very pants besmeared with ancient fat, 
With buttons odd, were older than his hat ; 
His cowhide shoes, his long and faded vest, 
Weil suited kirn ; ~?, r hat cared he how he dressed. 
His market wagon in which he used to ride 
To Salem, with rotten seat all settled down one side, 
To sell produce, and milk from bruised cans, 
That had stood for days in blackest pans. 
Once when he was in Salem toAvn, 
Without his wagon, walking round, 
Some folks took pity on the man, 
And put some money in his hand ; 
He never told them, no not he, 
That he held wealth enough in fee, 
But held his feeble hand and took it, 
And gladly put it in his pocket. 
This may or it may not be true, 
'Twas told to me as I tell you. 
Small his bump of order was, 
He had no systematic laws; 
The debris all about his house, 
Rotten carts, and sleighs, and ploughs, 
Old harnesses and broken hames, 
(3) 



Yokes and Saddles, rusty chains, 
And even the decaying fences 
Were suffered thus,- to- saYe expenses f 
With rotton shingles^ boards and planks r 
While he had thousands in the banks f 
While pigs invade the kitchen floor, 
And cows were dunging round the door j. 
The house and bairn had many a rat. 
Was full a match for any cat - f 
Into the house the chickens comes, 
Hunt all about to find the crumbs r 

And e're they leave, drop their exeresenee. 

In such a home, on such a place, 
Nathaniel Kimball spent his- days \ 
His well worn Bible — Holy word I 
Shows how Nathaniel feared the Lord ; 
The even tenor of his ways, 
Prolonged his life for ripe old age ; 
He was contented with his lot ; 
Was he a miser ? Was he not ? 
It to his credit should be said, 
He'd give half as much as brother Ed } 
"I am half as rich said Uncle Nat, 
As brother Edmund," "Go and see,' 7 
And bring the paper back to me. 
He hoped for life among the blest ; 
At ninety he went to rest. 
Many have sneered 'bout Uncle Nat, 
Who never paid their honest debts. 

Town Localities. 

Wenham is a curious place, 

With many a curious name ; 
There's Wenham lake where ice is cut, 

Which has a world-wide fame, 



19 



EtevTTs Hollow where the witches dwiiH ; 

The Causway and West End, 
And Egypt, and the Giant's grove, 

West of the lake extend. 

Pleasant, Mud, and Cedar ponds, 

And the lake all in a row, 
Three thousand acres in a swamp, 

Lie northwest yaw know. 

A.shVmry grove and Dodges row, 

And also Wenham Neck, 
Little Comfort, Israel's shore, 

What more can one expect ? 

There's a town with local names, 

A half a score or more, 
Which indicate a set of facts, 

Were never known before. 

Egyptians there may cut the ice> 
Send it to England's Queen, 

Within a mile of Dismal Swamp. 
A wood of end 1 ess green. 

Should sickness, death or poverty 

Cause us grief or ill, 
I do not think we should repine,— 

We've a Little Comfort still. 

Oar town has always famous been 

For giving titles unto mej\: 

There's Capt. This and CapC. That. 

And Captains all around, — 

A stranger might be led to think 

That half the men in town 

Had held commissions in their day. 

If unacquainted with our way. 

There's 'Squire Kimball, 'Squire Thorn, 



20 



Master Conant, Master John, 

Master Stephen, Master 'Msajh, 

Uncle Peter, Uncle 'Ziah, 

Uncle Josh ; Ned and Nat, 

The Devil next, — and what of that ? — 

Colonel Porter, Colpnel Kent, 

Then oomes the deacons and then the aunts. 

Deacon Nichols, Deacon Patch, 

Jacob Dodge and Foster and Deacon Kimball,. 

Bless my soul ! I'd sooner read a roster ! 

Aunt Ducky, Aunt Thorn, and a score of others. 

Here's lots of Uncles, lots of Aunts,. 

Bat where in creation are all the brothers ? 

All this is very sociable, 

For one I've no objections, 

Were all these uncles' and these aunts 

Real bonafide connexions. 

But titles often are bestowed 

For purposes of fun ; 

With Masters, Colonels, Captains, Aunts, 

And Deacons I've now done. 

Stsayed ok Stolen. 

Some years ago I heard there was 
A great excitement about a horse ,* 
Some thief had broken into the barn 
And stole a horse and rode from town. 
'•How could the rascal have the heart 
To steal him from my butcher's cart ? 
That horse was mine, it was'nt his'n 
Bf I catch the rogue he 7 l go to prison. 
But all this time the donkey was — 

'I'll straight to Salem, yes I will, 

And advertise it in a bill ; 

I'll' have them stuck up all around, 



21 



On every fence in every town. 

And I will give a great reward, 

To have the horse to nic restored. 

I am amazed beyond belief ; 

What a bold and daring thief ! 

But all this time the donkey was — 

With paste and bottle in his hand, 

In Esses there appeared a man ; 

On the fence he rubbed a brush, 

Spread o'er the board a sticky mush, 

And over that he spread a bill. 

Strayed or stolen, (if you will,) 

And thus he went all through the town, 

Posting handbills all around. 

But all this time his donkey was — 

In Ipswich there appeared a man, 

A lot of posters in his hand ; 

Which told about the Wenham theft, 

How a thief with horse had left ; 

On the handbill it was said, 

The color of the horse was red ; 

Who ever will this horse restore, 

Shall have ten dollars, if not more. 

But all this time the donkey was — 

In Topsfieid a::d in Danvers too, 

These bills were posted up to view. 

In Beverly and Middleton, 

On many a fence and post and stone, 

'•Strayed or stolen", might be read, 

How an honest butcher had 

His horse all stolen in the night, 

And trotted off ere morning light. 

But all this time — 

For days no tidings did he hear 
About the creature far or near . 
Grieved at the loss, expense, and bother, 



22 



He thought he'd better buy another. 

"How unlucky on the whole 

To Own a horse and have him stole, 

All advertising is in vain ; 

I'll never see my horse again !" 

But the starving creature all this time — 

One morn while rattling in the hay, 

He thought he heard a horse's neigh ; 

<; Tis force of habit that is all, 

Lord ! how I miss him from the stall !" 

So pitching down a little hay, 

He fed his cow and went away. 

When in the house, he told his wife 

He'd heard a horse as real as life. 

The poor old donkey, where was he? 
"It caiit be possible, thought he — 
I'll go this minute, look and see :" 
He cast beneath the barn his eyes : 
The man and horse both looked surprised. 
"You tarnal beast, how came you here ? 
I've hunted for you far and near." 
The creature whinnied, — seemed to say 
"Just please to fetch me down some hay." 

The people joke the man this day, 

About the horse 't was stolen away. 

A Remarkable Dream. 

As I sat in my easy chair, 

'Twas in my cottage home. 
My cheerful wife had gone to bed, 

And I was all alone. 

I had been reading in a book 

Munchausen wrote of old ; 
Some lies the most remarkable 

That ever have been told. 



23 

The muses danced before my eyes, 
Which I in sleep had closed; 

A vision rare i did behold, 
While in my chair I dozed. 

I saw some men dig round a rock, 
They made it free and loose ; 

They had the debris cleared away, 
And raised it up with screws. 

All, all the voters in the town 

Were working on a lane ; 
Which led from where the rock was dug, 

Unto the village plain. 

Some carpenters I saw at work 

Upon a mighty sled; 
Why build it of such heavy oak ? 

To haul the rock they said. 

For gracious sake ! what does it weigh ? 

A hundred tons or so ; 
AVe mean to draw it on this sled 

In winter on the snow. 

And have it placed upon the green, 

Inside the oval lot ; 
'T will make a noble monument 

As any town has got. 

Anon I thought the scene was changed, 
'T was winter cold and drear; 

And yokes of oxen coming in 
To town from everywhere. 

The rock was loaded on the sled, 
'T was nearly eight feet high ; 

A heavy cable from a ship 
Was laying handy by. 

The chain was hooked unto the sled, 



24 



The oxen to the chain, 
And such a shouting, "Star, come up,' r 
I ne'er shall hear again. 

A multitude of people had 

Come in from neighboring towns ■ ; 
Gentlemen with ladies fair, 

And many rustic clowns. 

That ponderous rock began to move ; 

The sled to glide along, 
Mid waving of the handkerchief, 
The shouting of the throng. 

The sled drew up before the church, 
The teams stretched all along ; 

The hindermost oxen on the mall, 
The foremost at the pond. 

The blue frocks all went to the hall, 
And there they had a lunch, 

A hundred teamsters whips in hand 
All eating in a bunch. 

Again I thought the sceoe had changed 

I felt the summer breeze ; 
Insects buzzing in the air, 

And birds sang in the trees. 

The cooling zephyrs wafted on 
The flowers sweet perfume ; 

A multitude was gathered round, 
All happy I presume. 

The rock was placed upon its bed 
Two feet above the ground; 

For a foundation had been built, 
Of big rocks placed around. 

I said 'twas placed upon its bed, 
But yet it was not quite ; 



25 

Some crippled soldiers waited to 
Perform a little rite. 

A band with music on a form, 

Filled all the space around-; 
Playing a requiem for the dead, 

With low, melodious sound. 

could the spirits of the dead, 
Once hear that martial strain, 

They would come forth from southern graves 
And be with us again. 

Just then a bustle in the crowd, 

Which my attention drew ; 
A score of men came on the stand, 

Arrayed in army blue. 

The excitement soon became intense, 

The dead alive again ; 
O, such a rushing as there was 

no take them by the hand. 

There was Evans, Clark, and Charley Dodge> 

Two Dudleys, and my brother Dan; 

Young Merrill, Irvme Smith, 

Thomas Turwey, every man 

Who went to war and lost his life. 

The brothers Tuttle from the Neck, 

1 Jen Ingersol and William Beck; 
Henry Homan, Daniel Shea, 

All those and more I say. 
One Peter and one William Dodge, 
Page, Quimby, and Charles Henderson; 
Fred Uowlaud, Dennis Sullivan, 
And several whom I never knew, 
Who fairly seemed to stand in view. 
The people shout for very joy; 
Such happiness without alloy — > 

(4) 



Women fainted at the sight 

For very ecstaej— Beholding- their friends again.,. 

'The cannon roar r the bell struck up a merry peal £ 

The band sweetly played! ■'•Lang Syne" 

And at the last refrain the spirits vanished,. 

Then I heard my name called. 

With diffidence I did reply,- 

"Why call on me ? there's 

Greater here than 1 1" 

I stood upon the stand. Those spirits ffed r 

And the souls of our honored efead r 

Their clear remains whom we knew m life, 

In sickness died, or fell in battle strife - 

At Fredericksburg, whe.ro Bimiside fought in rain,. 

Young Dudley fell among 1 the thousand slain \ 

While in a boat a bullet from the town 

Struck his young life — he fell, he sank,, and drown ecL 

Peter and William Dodge- both were shot and fell 

Mid leaden hail, the screams of bursting shell, 

The noisy drums, the heavy cannon's roar: 

And heroes lay dying in tfseir gore. 

In Florida, Charles Henderson was shot. 

Addison Center the typhoid fever got. 

Henry Homer by accident onto Ms deat&t he came 

Thomas Turner was shot and died the same. 

Fever and consumption caused the death of Beck. 

The brothers" Tuttle who went from Wenham Neck 

Were shot in war } the fate of others never will be known 

There has no record unto me been shown. 

The fate of Ingersoll and my brother Dan, 

Transcends in cruelty all the art of man ; 

In a loathsome prison they starved and pined and died : 

Where the blood of thousands unto heaven cried. 

God heard their cry, and in wrath decreed 

That cursed rebellion never should succeed. 

T d gone thus far with my rhyming talk 



27 

When a Magician struck the noble rock; 

Lol there burst forth in bright and ^yellow flames 

In burning light, all our heroes' names. 

A pavilion had keen bcalt upon the village green, 

Our wive? and daughters mixed! in the busy scene 

"With basket? on their arms, all gaily dressed. 

Preparing a dinner for a thousand guest. 

A. long procession formed hi proud array.; 

It was July the 4th our hajjjpy natal clay. 

They marched with music's martial strain, 

And I myself was moving in the train. 

How splendidly the tables had been spread 

With evergree*s and garlands overhead; 

With pots of flowers at intervals along, 

And rich abundance to feast the happy throng; 

We had all march; d in, and each had found a place 

And reverentially bowed, while a man of God said Grace, 

Then all fell to eating, and [ had filled my plate 

With some dainty bits, — when my wife shook me by the 

shoulders, "Are you going to sleep in that chair all night? 

Here it is one o'clock.". When lo ! all this celebration was 

but a dream; but would to Heaven it had been true, for 

such a monument would be a credit to the town. And her© 

you see I lost a good dinner. ' 

A few more words and then, adieu ; 

My poem I have read it through. 

The local matter has amused, 

And many names I've freely used. 

If any body is offended, 

I beg your pardon, t'waut intended} 
. Many things I might have said, 

About the follies of the dead, 

But all in all I am inclined 

To treat the past with feelings kind. 

We have no cause to feel ashamed, 

Our ancestors, had wit and fame; 



28* 

Virtues speak ■with modest voice;. 
But folly always makes a noise. 

IINIS, 



Oli> Milan, 

My friends, I promised in my bill, 

To speak of Danvers men ;. 
This promise I will now fulfil^ 

€>n whom shall I begin.. 

A negro fifty years ago, 

Was living in this place, (Putnam plaissi 
He was a jolly African, 

Fair sample of his race 

Everybody then sold rum, 

Who kept a grocery store ; 
Most persons took their daiiy glass,, 

On holidays drank more. 

Danvers always had its waysy 

Always fond of fun \ 
Ever ready for a dope, 

To play some trick upon, 

Eben Berry's father, kept 

A cross and vicious ram ; 
And Milan butted like a sheep. 

When he had had a dram. 

The wags pretended for a bet, 

Was laid upon his head j 
That he could butt old Berry's ram. 

And knock the creature dead. 

Accordingly the day was set, 

And bets were running high, 
And a crowd of tricky men, 



29 

Were gathered standing by. 

They brought the ram into the ring, 

And placed them head and head ; 
The owner said that he much feared 

His ram would soon be dead. 

Down went Milan on his knees. 

And shook his woolly pate ; 
The mutton surely seemed to think 

He'd got a worthy mate. 

The sheep he trotted on all four, 

The nigger did the same ; 
Down dropped old Milan by the blow, 

The loser in the game. 

The Danvers Men and the Danyers Poem. 

I speak as a Phrenologist and shall that freedom take, 
To criticize the minds of men and observations make; 
You paid me once for doing this, you therefore can't complain 
If in the shape of poetry, I do it o'er again. 
I have so many in my mind, on whom shall I begin ? 
Suppose I tackle Deacon X, say he can wield a sledge; 
And he can wield a bargain, too, a dollar I will wage. 
I traded with that deacon once, and guess I ought to know; 
The blacksmith got the weather-guage, that will forever do. 
I was not in the brotherhood ; a heretic by fame ! 
I disbelieved in Bible truth, and bore a wicked name. 
The heathen must the gospel have, and sinners such as I 
Must foot the bill in every trade; must I tell you why ? 
Does not the Bible teach us that the servants of the Lord 
Are the stewards of the world, and only they can hoard 
Up wealth against the day of need ; then here's to cheating 

all we can 
All other sects except my own. We'll over-reach our fellow 

man, 
And lend a little to the Lord, and keep the rest ourselves. 



30 

The Israelites when they left the land of Pharaoh, 
Borrowed jewelry and such- like to take with them when 

they go 
Unto the land of Canaan. With one talent we must secure 
Bliss; must make our calling and election sure. 

A contrast now, another man we'll view, 

Who every day is seen and known by you ; 

Whose bilious blood will seldom let hiin smile, 

And when he does, 'tis really worth your while 

To see him; but when he does it comes up from his heart, 

Like a genial ray of sunshine, but quickly will again depart 

To whence it came his sober look will impress the young 

with awe, 
He's just the man, true servant of the law, 
His courage cool, courteous and discreet, 
No braggart he, will any danger meet, 
Honest and trusty, reserved and taciturn, 
Pump him for a secret you'l never learn, 
From him, what you never ought to know, 
Cautious and guarded, deliberate and slow, 
He is just the man to fill a sheriff's place, 
Keep Adams their you'l never fear disgrace. 
Now — No. three you know him very well, 
Just touch him off with politics he'l fire shot and shell, 
He cannot keep a secret, he dearly loves to blow, 
You let him know a private fault, and all the world will 

know, 
He's quite ambitious in his way, tis oddly manifest, 
He is so fond of money, that he goes poorly dressed, 
Very prone to argument, will bluntly speak his mind, 
And when offended often is abusively inclined, 
My dictionary tells me that a blackguard is a man, 
Whose language is most foul, who always when he can, 
Will sacrifice his friend to perpetrate a joke, 
He's tried to gain distinction and has surely won renown, 



31 

And everybody hateth him who knows him in the town. 

Me has a mess of knowledge well stored in his brain, 

And wants to tell (oiks all he knows, he is so proud and 
vain ; 

I'll close this sketch but must not tell to you this per- 
sons name, 

I doubt me, were the tables turned he would have done the 
same. 

One thing however I will say which seems to take his part* 

His vices are upon hi3 tongue his virtues in his heart; 

No. 4. Your clerks and storekeepers next will my atten- 
tion gain, 
Politeness, affability they all have in the main. 
Some exceptions I must own and that with much regret. 
It never pays to keep a clerk who will pout and fret, 
Because the customers can't decide exactly what to buy, 
Or doubt about the quality, or deem the price too high. 
Everybody has their wants, some greater and sonic less, 
Don't be obsequious unto one because of better dross : 
And when a person happens in who looketh like a clown, 
Up goes the hair upon his lip his sneering nose come down. 
True gentlemen will never think they have especial right. 
To treat one with great reverence another with a slight: 
Nature quite, impartial is the great, the good, the wise, 
Find comfort in their virtues, and in mental exercise. 
The fool who has but little sense, stored in his little pate, 
Derives his chiefest happiness from silly self-conceit ; 
Be not. pompous, be not vain, be affable to all, 
And tlKse who've traded with you once — another time will 
call. 

No. 5. There lives near here another man, and he's a man 

of note, 
He's witty— can a story tell, and also crack a joke; 
When a bit of gossip gets slyly floating round, 
It never losses interest by passing Samuel Brown. 



32 

He's very shrewd, and very sharp, where bargains can be 

made. 
Spreading mortar and soft soap is this person's trade, 
Go ask him if he'll plaster, or lay for you some bricks ! 
He'll snuffall round to smell the cash, — that's one of his tricks ,' 
I'm very busy quoth the man. I have so much to do ! 
Better get some other one to do the work for you, 
I'll pay the money for the job as soon as it is done ; 
The case is altered dont you see ? I rather guess I'll come. 
Good natured, keen, and selfish, and very fond of fun, 
When once he gets to laughing, thinks he never shall be done. 
Insinuating is his style ; ingenious is his wit, 
He'll talk all round a matter and still not mention it ! 
Just as a cat attempts to steal, — take a circuit round, 
So carefully insinuated, aint that like Samuel Brown ? 
Plovc to hear "that person talk, his manner is so queer, 
No matter how he seems to preach, there's motive in the rear ; 
His risibilities are great, and by a master stroke, 
He'll set his hearers in a laugh at any little joke. 
Now Mr. Brown if you are here you'd better not deny it, 
Everybody knows it's true, so 'tis no use to try it. 

No. 6. Now I'll mention No. 6, a worthy friend of mine, 
He is good natured, sleek and fat, and dresses rather fine, 
He's got a little wealth, he feels a little vain, 
Has been in several offices, and auctioneers for gain. 
He says : Professor how do do ? and takes me by the hand, 
And pompously will introduce me to another man, 
This is Professor Peabody, perhaps you do not know, 
This is the great phrenologist ; Professor ain't it so ? 
His self-esteem so lifts him up, and makes him feel superior, 
Thus oft he treats his equals, as though they were inferiors ; 
He has a little friendship, and of gas a little more, 
His ostentatious patronage is to his friends a bore ; 
Maugre all this, I must confess I really like the man, 
So smoothly he can wheedle — so artful and so bland. 
His consciousness is small, I've often told him so, 



33 

One cannot anger him, because his temper is so slow ; 

His love for approbation, I know is very small, 

No envy rankles in his heart ; No jealousy at all. 

He wishes everybody well, his kindness tends that way, 

Tis more in wishes than in deeds, I've heard some people 

say, 
Tin's crafty man, doth understand, human nature well, 
And every trade John A. has made, has made his coffers 

swell. 
Now I have done with my friend John, so I will say no more> 
Except to say, this goes to pay up many an old score ; 
Now listen all aspiring men, who would grow proud and 

grand, 
Keep every cent that you can get, get every cent you can. 
Shake everybody by the hand, wear a deceitful smile, 
Show hypocritical respect, and cheat them all the while : 
Wear in your head an oily tongue, don't scruple when you 

lie, 
PatH everybody on the back, grow old and rich, and die. 

No. 7 is a tall diamond in the rough, 

I shall describe him ; then you will know the person well 

enough ; 
He's been a poet in his day, or written many rhymes, 
And funny thing's he's had to say in verse at various times. 
Bben Berry knows that man, and so does Mason Brown ; 
There was a poem written once and peddled through th' town. 
The friendship of a man who lives by others dying, 
Creates suspicion in my mind, in such I've no relying; 
His advertisement does not say, I'm pleased to find you 

married, 
But says iivsubstance, please to die I'll gladly "see you buried, 
'Tis said that surgeons do rejoice when people break their 

bones, 
And lawyers rub their hands in glee when heads are broke 

with stones. 



34 

Broken bargains, broken heads, bring in the lawyer's fees?, 
Broken arms and broken legs will the surgeons please ; 
The surgeon and the lawyer and the undertaker these, 
Live by our aches and broken limbs, and lastly our decease. 
Then Peter Wyatt, and Dr. Chase, and Squire II. L. Hadley, 
Should like freemasons all shake hands in close fraternity. 
No. 8. Captain P. reputed rich twenty years ago, 
If twenty thousand dollars, maketh anybody so; 
By southern men he lost it all. by trustiug them with shoes, 
And this misfortune brought upon him much unjust abuse ; 
Were he now rich he might be proud, the poor treat with 

contempt ; 
We see the man as God ordained from vanity exempt. 
He who bears adversity resigned to Heaven's will. 
Eben Putnam though he's poor, I can respect him still ; 
Ye rich and wealthy who are raised above temptations snare. 
Who never felt the trying needs of hunger, strife and care 7 
Who oft' mistakingly suppose you are much better born, 
Who treat the accidents and faults of poverty with scorn. 
Consider well, and ask yourself what might have been your lot, 
Had you been poor, and had temptation entered at your gate ? 
Then treat the poor with kind respect, it justly is their due, 
'Twill st'.fle envy in their hearts, and win respect for you, 
'Tis lack of kindness and respect that doom the poor to 

crime, 
Pride mortified the want of bread in these hard, idle times- 

1861. The guns of Sumpter shook the continent! 
Foul treason gnashed its bloody teeth, 
To crush the soul of liberty ; Secession 
Denied the boon by patriots bequeathed 
To all the sons of freedom, law, and right, 
To conquer justice by the sword and might, 
One who ruled by the people's choice, 
Did stamp the earth and raise his potent voice. 
When lo ! a million of heroes from the earth, 



35 

Came up in niart!al array, marched forth 

To crush the reptile, treason, 'neath their honest Feet 

Natives and the sons of Erin meet. 

The shamrock from the island green, 

The starry banner both in battle seen, 

Our hills gave birth to canoon ready cast, 

The eagle waved from every pole and mast. 

Union and liberty became the battle cry, 

The dearest words to heroes when they die ; 

Four thousand miles of country in a flame, 

Rising to arms from Mexico to Maine, 

What history can aiFord a tale like this, 

To die for freedom was our soldiers bliss. 

On many a bloody field there bled and died, 

The alien and the yankee side by side, 

O where are those whom shortly since we knew, 

Thy martyrs fell, in glory passed from view. 

Their bones are mouldering beneath a Southern sod ; 

In heaven, I trust, they're dwelling with their God. 

'Mid clash of arms, they wrote their wills in gore. 

Bequeathing Liberty and Union evermore. 

Eighty from Danvers, this old historic town, 

Have bled and died, preserving its renown. 

Haste ye the monument that shall preserve the fame 

Of those who fell to save your honored name. 

Proud am I of this, my native place, 

For never yet has Danvers borne disgrace. 



**i 



